Is the PlayStation Vita destined to flop like the 3DS?

Recently Sony announced more details about the PlayStation Vita handheld gaming device. While we didn’t get a release date for the console, more information was revealed about the devices specifications. But now there are some who think the device will not succeed and the portable gaming market has moved on. So is the PlayStation Vita destined to flop like the 3DS?

There are many people who believe that having a dedicated handheld gaming device is the thing of the past. With the advancement of smartphones and tablet PCs this is thought to be the way forward by some. The device has already come for some criticism from some developers before the device has even been released.

An article on gamesindustry.biz is reporting that Lyle Hall and Matthew Seymour of Heavy Iron Studios think the Sony Vita is “a car wreck”. They use the example of the 3DS and the fact that people were unwilling to pay $249 for it, and with the Vita being priced higher no one will want it.

The Xperia Play is also mentioned but the company would like to see the Vita succeed, but with the way the market has changed it is thought unlikely. Trouble is it’s a bit early to wright the console off even before anyone has managed to really get their hands on it. There will be many PlayStation 3 owners want to have the device to use as an extension to their home console.

Another thing that has to be remembered is the fact that many smartphones do indeed have quality games and graphics, but this can often be at the expense of battery life. Personally I think with the right support and launch titles it will be a big success.

The device will be ideal for when you are on your travels, and although can’t offer the opportunity for making calls like a smartphone you get a better gaming experience. It sounds as if some people want the device to fail. Do you think the PlayStation Vita will flop?

The reason the 3DS had trouble at its initial price point was partially due to a weak software lineup and partially due to its major selling point being a troublesome gimmick.

I think the major selling point of the Vita will be that it is virtually a PS3 in your hands. If they do well enough with integrating it into the PS3’s ecosystem, it will thrive. If Sony’s smart, they’ll court the developers who are eyeing the WiiU and say ‘Hey, you think you could port your game to the PS3 using the Vita for the pad/controller functions?’

I was HOPING for a $249/299 price point when Vita was announced, given its suite of features. Also, it was recently announced that a version of Skype will be available, making it almost as good as a phone for those with the 3G model.

Vita and the Xperia Play are filling a void that is glaringly obvious in the Smartphone gaming world: Buttons. Having a small screen that then also has to double as your controller limits your options. Vita’s capacitive screen will allow for easy porting of the gazillions of smartphone games out there, too.

The only disappointment in my book is the lack of actual phone services. Who knows, though…. That could be a future firmware upgrade.

Anonymous

and 3DS didnt Flop it’s to early for us to say as nintendo will surprise us i am sure 😀 but Sony will win

Anonymous

and 3DS didnt Flop it’s to early for us to say as nintendo will surprise us i am sure 😀 but Sony will win

Anonymous

I am BORED!!! hearing the smartphones and the tablet et.c et.c the tablets and smarthphones are just a trend people buy them cause of the marketing HOW i am supposed to enjoy a serious video game like assassin’s creed cod BF or hardcore games without BUTTONS feel it i hope people will support they real gaming devices and leave the tablets/smartphones for browsing/calling.